'Drifting' ... season slides into action in Concord

Kaylan Ryon, 20, of Kannapolis, and one of only a few female competitors, exits a corner drift in her 1996 240SX coupe, setting up for proper entry into the corner just ahead of her.

RICK CRIDER / Enquirer Journal

Joe Caldwell, of Monroe, traveled to Concord Motorsports Park with his 2003 Nissan 350Z, his second venture into the sport of drifting.

RICK CRIDER / Enquirer Journal

Mark Tillman, of Marshville, in his Nissan 240SX, modified for drifting.

RICK CRIDER / Enquirer Journal

Team members and SWD staff inspect Mike Belliveau's mid-90's 240SX for damage after the the car veered into the retaining wall during one of the final runs of the day.

RICK CRIDER / Enquirer Journal

Accellerating on a straight stretch, this driver gains speed necessary to enter his next corner in proper drift form.

RICK CRIDER / Enquirer Journal

The essentials: Tools and plenty of extra tires.

RICK CRIDER / Enquirer Journal

Likely one of the most commonly modified cars for drifting is the early to mid 1990's Nissan 240SX series, in both coupe and hatchback form. Its rear-wheel drive layout and other features lends itself to the modifications needed for an effective drift machine.

RICK CRIDER / Enquirer Journal

Mark Tillman, of Marshville, in his Nissan 240SX

CONCORD —

Dozens of drivers and enthusiasts, from amateur to pro, turned out at Concord Motorsports Park February 24 for the first professionally organized drifting event of the 2013 season, hosted by StreetWise Drift, a Charlotte based organization that promotes safe and organized drift shows and competitions in off-street, track settings. The event pulled in cars and drivers from across the east-coast, including a few from Union County.

Drifting, as defined by Wikipedia, is a driving technique where the driver intentionally oversteers, causing loss of traction in the rear wheels, while maintaining control from entry to exit of a corner. A car is drifting when the rear slip angle is greater than the front slip angle, to such an extent that often the front wheels are pointing in the opposite direction to the turn (e.g. car is turning left, wheels are pointed right or vice versa).

Starting as a fad in Japan some years ago, drifting has evolved into a competitive motor-sport throughout Europe and the United States, with localized events taking place in the Charlotte and Concord area.

The next event hosted by Streetwise Drift is Saturday, March 30, at Metrolina Expo, in Charlotte. For more information about the event, visit www.streetwisedrift.com or call 704-577-3560.